WORCESTER, MA — Worcester will host a series of public World Cup watch parties on the Worcester Common this summer.
The city announced Thursday that “Game On Worcester” will include four free events tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in partnership with Discover Central Massachusetts, the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District, the Massachusetts Organization of African Descendants, Massachusetts Youth Soccer and 4Life Entertainment.
The events are meant to bring residents, visitors and soccer fans downtown for live match screenings, cultural programming and family activities.
The series was confirmed after Worcester received an official public screening license this week, according to the city.
The watch parties will be held on these dates:
All events are free, but attendees are asked to preregister to help organizers manage capacity. Registration links and event details are available through Discover Central Massachusetts.
“The City of Worcester is honored to be one of several communities in the state to host watch parties,” City Manager Eric D. Batista said in the announcement. “This is an opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the game of soccer, one another and our city.”
Mayor Joseph M. Petty said the events are designed to celebrate Worcester’s diversity while giving fans a place to gather for the tournament.
The events will include live screenings on a large outdoor screen, food vendors, restaurants, cultural performances, music, family activities, youth engagement opportunities, soccer clinics and interactive games led by Roots Soccer Academy and Worcester City Football Academy, according to the city.
The city said the watch parties are expected to draw thousands of fans downtown. The setup will include a 24-foot by 16-foot high-definition screen, food and beverage vendors, a beer garden and youth soccer clinics.
Access to the Common and surrounding streets will be closed to vehicles before and during each event. Road closure times and detour information will be announced closer to the watch parties, according to the city.
Local businesses, food vendors and community organizations are also being sought for the events. Vendors and community resource partners can apply through the registration links at DiscoverCentralMA.org/gameon.
Worcester received $120,000 from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism’s Sports and Entertainment Events Fund to support the watch party series, according to the city. The statewide program allocated $10 million for World Cup-related programming, public celebrations, transportation and event infrastructure across Massachusetts.
Discover Central Massachusetts will lead regional marketing for the series, including paid digital advertising, email, social media and signage aimed at visitors from the Boston area, Western Massachusetts and greater New England.
You can find details, including schedules, location and event updates here.
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